FN Hi-Power

[porthos]

decided that i need a hi-power. NOT a reproduction. is there any era that i should look for as to being the best quality??

[buckwheatpaul]

I have a 1974, Belgium version....would not trade for any reason!

[36g]

I'd say pick the features that you prefer. Internal extractor vs. external (Pre-war/wartime vs. post war), rounded or spur hammer, extended or regular slide release, extended or short safety, single vs. ambi safety, fixed vs. adjustable rear sight, small or larger front sight. I don't know that quality changed much over the years other than the WWII German produced ones.

[porthos]

hammer, slide release, extractor ect. dosen't concern me. i was interested in quality production time frame. i will look for something from mid 1950s thru 1970's and little used.

[dogdoc]

I have an 1980s fn hi power that is nice but I have to admit a new Springfield sa35 is really nice as well. It is likely a better shooter out of the box as well. Better sights safety , tighter slide to frame fit, and most important for a shooter MUCH better trigger (no magazine disconnect). Trigger about 4.5 pounds right out of box.

[FergusonTO35]

I'm very happy with my 2016 example and would definitely buy it again. One thing that is amazing is that mine has a very nice trigger pull. Honestly, most bolt actions would be blessed to have such a good pull. Zero creep, super crisp break, not terribly heavy.

[rintinglen]

Back in the day, all right way, back in the day, I briefly owned a 1969 Mfr. Belgian Hi-power. That gun did not like hollow points. In fact, it was pretty picky about anything other than FMJ. I have a 1990's MK III that eats everything that I have shoveled into it. If you are considering it as an investment, you want a ring hammer, Belgian made gun. If you intend to use it as a shooter or a CCW piece, I'd take the Portugal manufacture Mk III right off.

I have read that FN modified the feed ramp in the late 70's to make the guns more HP-friendly, but I have no first hand experience with any of those Mk II guns.

[porthos]

bought a as new 1974 hi-power today. now i have a real one.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Whoa!
Good for you!
We’re gonna need pics!

[Gray Fox]

A few months back I got a deal too good to pass up on an FN Hi power in .40 S&W with the beefier frame that is a solid 95% condition. It came with 6 of the hard-to-find magazines with the external spring mag drop assist. The finish is what Smiths and Colts used to look like. The trigger with the disconnect in place is close to what my new SA-35 feels like. GF

[rancher1913]

i have a browning 9mm that i understood to be a browning high power but after reading this thread i have doubts. it says browning arms on it and made in belgum but the grips have a browning logo. always thought it was a quality gun but now am unsure, anybody with knowledge care to enlighten me

[porthos]

can't do pictures yet. but picture a new 1974 hi-power. mine loooks the same.

[FergusonTO35]

i have a browning 9mm that i understood to be a browning high power but after reading this thread i have doubts. it says browning arms on it and made in belgum but the grips have a browning logo. always thought it was a quality gun but now am unsure, anybody with knowledge care to enlighten me

Is your pistol a single action? If so, I don't know of any other pistol it could be. Browning has sold a few different 9mm pistols over the years. There was the BDA-HP which was a DA/SA version of the Hi-Power, also a Sig P220 rebranded as the BDA.

[rancher1913]

its a semi auto 1911 style, identical to the fn photos i found

[FergusonTO35]

Sounds like a Hi Power to me, can you post a link to what it looks like?

[rancher1913]

when i search it shows the fn version but says its from a company in utah called browning arms

[FergusonTO35]

Browning is based on Utah, and historically many of their products were made by FN including the Hi Power.

[Kosh75287]

ALL serious pistol shooters need a .45 ACP first, THEN a good 9mm. Except for the CZ platforms, I doubt there's a better single-action 9mm available (okay, maybe 1911s, but you lose the magazine capacity). The P-35 was designed with a little extra weight and redundancy in it as possible, so they are not as "beefy" as some 9mm pistols on the market. The fastest way to shoot one loose is to run a steady diet of hot 9mm ammo through one. Please don't do that to a wonderful old pistol.

[porthos]

having trouble with re-assembly. from videos, the last thing that i install in the frame is the sear spring. i can get the sear spring under the sear where it belongs; or i can get the spring (bottom) in the hole in the bottom of the magazine well. but can't do both. do i need to drive out the pin that holds in the sear and ejector part way, push in the spring and compress the sear and install the pin???

[porthos]

got it done. need to remove the sear, install spring.compress sear and install spring

[Rusty Goose]

Nice to have your first one on hand... now perhaps a T series? Of course an Inglis should accompany it as well. But to safe the deep blue finish on that classic you should use a MK111 for daily carry duties. But the .40 Mark111 is a little heavier, just a bit more oomph, so get that one too. Well, what this collection would benefit from is a .30 Luger version too, just say you have it. My, but isn't that Renaissance just so lovely....

Me personally didn't like trading my JA Ceiner .22 conversion on my '69 C so often, so I bought a Charles Daly bare frame and built a .22lr version to teach the kids.

I believe you have just started this journey!

[Char-Gar]

In 2005, I bought a new one and it isn't going anywhere. According to those in the know, those marked "made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal" are stronger.

[FergusonTO35]

That's what my 2016 is, and it's not going anywhere.

[porthos]

sorry, but i disagree about "assembled in portugal". essentialy FN made the parts and sent them to portugal to be fitted and assembled because it is / was cheaper than paying belgian workers to do the same. no reason that the guns would be stronger.

[Crash_Corrigan]

I had $750 in my pocket and there was a custom made 25-06 rifle awaiting me. Alas under the glass counter top sat a minty ( mm Hi-Power made and assemble in Belguim. Guess what follwed me home? The 25-06 is still sitting there all alone. I worship this gun. Not a mark or scratch on it anywhere. Shoots like a dream and is accurate. I had the trigger replaced and the magazine disconnecter removed. Fantastic carry gun although a mite heavy but conceals well with the flat sides. I will never sell this gun.